TEXT: John 8:1-11

SUBJECT: Exposition of John #21: Woman Taken in Adultery

This is one of the best known events in the life of Jesus Christ. But did you know, it is also one of the most disputed passages in the Bible? Scholars doubt its authorship, but no one reading it with an open mind can deny its authenticity. It presents our Lord in character; reading it causes "our hearts to burn within us". May God "open the Scripture" to our understanding. For Christ's sake. Amen.

The story begins early one morning, at the Temple in Jerusalem. The people have gathered to hear our Lord teach; and that's what He's doing. Things are proceeding nicely until the scribes and Pharisees interrupt. What do they want?

They want legal advice. They just caught a woman committing adultery--"in the very act" they say. Adultery was both a sin and a crime. As a sin, it was and remains punishable by God. "Fornicators and adulterers God will judge" Hebrews 13:4 has it. Under the Old Covenant, it was also a crime; its penalty was death--death by stoning.

The charge must be supported by good evidence. "Two or three witnesses" are required; "the testimony of one witness" won't do.

The case is airtight. The Law is clear; the evidence is sure; the woman is guilty. If the case is so obvious, why do they bring it to the Lord?

V.6 explains: "This they said, testing Him..." They don't care about the sanctity of God's Law; they're not concerned about the corrosive effects of adultery; all they want is to catch our Lord in His words. They need "something of which to accuse Him".

The plot is nothing short of brilliant. However our Lord answers--they think--He condemns Himself.

The perfect trap has been set. Can our Lord avoid it? Let's see.

The Response, vv.6-9.

The scribes and Pharisees are demanding an answer; "No comment" won't do. How does our Lord respond? He ignores them! "But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear them".

What does this imply? That He has no answer? That He's stalling for time? No. It signifies something much more important than these. It means: God is not answerable to man!

Many people think otherwise. Unless God solves their intellectual problems and does whatever they think He ought to do, they feel no obligation to worship and obey Him. C.S. Lewis described this attitude as putting "God in the Dock"--making Him the Suspect, rather than the Judge.

Lewis was right. Paul has it: "Who are you to reply against God?" God is not answerable to us; it is we who are answerable to God.

The Lord Jesus as "The Son of God" is not required to answer the "folly of fools". But this day, He will...on His terms.

He begins by "Stooping down and writing on the ground with His finger". What? We don't know.

He next issues a warning: "He who is without sin, let him cast the first stone". What does He mean? He's not forbidding all judgment. Rather, He's condemning the eagerness and pride we so often feel when passing judgment on others. Elsewhere He has it: "Why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?" Paul warns us to "restore" others "in the spirit of meekness, considering ourselves, lest we also be tempted".

The scribes and Pharisees are given time to repent. But they're not out for holiness; they're out for blood.

Our Lord squats down a second time and writes something else. The accusers are horrified and leave "one by one, beginning with the oldest, even to the last".

What did He write? We don't know. But this seems most plausible to me. The woman was a prostitute who had serviced every man there. Our Lord began by writing the accusers' names. When no one answered His call to repentance, He added the dates each had been with her. If they insist on stoning her, they too, must die. For they're as guilty as she.

Conscience made cowards of them all.

When our Lord rises to His feet, He finds no witnesses to her crime. He inquires: "Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you"? She replies: "No one, Lord". He adds: "Neither do I condemn you..."

The Law condemned no one without credible witnesses. But no witnesses can now be found. The woman, therefore, is not condemned. And, if the Law doesn't condemn her, neither does the Lawgiver.

But both she and Christ know the truth. And, whatever she thinks of adultery, He is dead-set against it. Thus He leaves her with a stern warning: Go and sin no more".

Did she repent of her immoral ways? We don't know. Maybe she returned to them. But what about you? Has God punished you as your sins deserved? He has not. Why not? So that you might continue in them?

Some people think so: "Because the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil" (Ecclesiastes 8:11).

But you know better than that! "The goodness of God" is designed to "lead you to repentance". Has it? Is it? Will it? God give an answer of peace!

This passage is recorded to make us "Believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God". Does it? Yes it does. How?

The prophets foretold a Savior of remarkable wisdom. Isaiah has it: "The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD".

What does this episode show but just that? An unanswerable question is answered in a way that vindicates the justice of God, exalts His mercy, condemn hypocrites, and pardons a sinner--all at once!

In Christ, David's prayer is answered: "Give the King Your judgments, O God, and Your righteousness to the king's Son". This wisdom--found partly in Solomon--is discovered fully in our Lord. For in Christ--and no one else--are "hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge".

This presents a choice, a choice you must make. Find wisdom in Christ or chase folly without Him. The choice is yours. But the results are His! "Whoever finds Me finds life...but he who sins against Me wrongs his own soul. All those who hate Me love death".

What will it be? Wisdom and life? Or folly and death? Choose "life". Believe in Christ. Find your wisdom in Him. God make it so, for Christ's sake. Amen.